We've spent the bulk of this term teaching you how to create chords through the use of chord formulas and chord shapes. We've spent time learning how to read and interpret a basic chord chart and to perform chord progressions from those basic chord charts. What we haven't taught you yet is why they work, and why they sound familiar.
The information on "Chords within Keys" will be very helpful in understanding the information here, so please read that page and complete the work before continuing if you haven't already.
The information on "Chords within Keys" will be very helpful in understanding the information here, so please read that page and complete the work before continuing if you haven't already.
What's a chord progression?
A chord progression is a sequence of chords played one after the other as part of a piece of music. They are the basic harmonic building blocks of a piece of music and work in conjunction with the main melody to form the majority of a piece of music. As the name suggests, a chord progression demonstrates to the listener how the piece of music progresses over time and can often instil a sense of 'journey' to a piece of music.
Don't believe me? Well Stewie Griffin from Family Guy does!
The reason why those chords work together is because they all belong to the key of G. Stewie played GMaj, CMaj, DMaj, Am, and Em. From what you learned about chords in keys you know that he played chords I IV V ii vi in the key of G.
What you may not already know, is that playing chord progressions consisting mainly of chords I IV and V is a highly established and incredibly effective compositional device used throughout most varieties of music, but particularly rock and pop music. In fact there are a number of established chord progressions that work well together and create a sense of journey within them, these are the chord progressions we'll be looking at.
What you may not already know, is that playing chord progressions consisting mainly of chords I IV and V is a highly established and incredibly effective compositional device used throughout most varieties of music, but particularly rock and pop music. In fact there are a number of established chord progressions that work well together and create a sense of journey within them, these are the chord progressions we'll be looking at.
The 1 3 2 4 (I iii ii IV) progression.
Let's use a 1 3 2 4 chord progression as an example first. From 'Chords within Keys' we know that in a major key, chord I is Major, chord ii is minor, chord iii is minor, and chord IV is major, chord V is Major, chord vi is minor, and chord vii is diminished (or major if you're playing bVII). In the key of C this chord progression would be: CMaj, Em, Dm, and FMaj. But a 1 3 2 4 chord progression will work in any key, because it doesn't matter what chord you start on, or what key you are in, the journey will be the same because that chord progression 'carries' a certain feel to it.
If you have access to your instrument I would like you to try playing a 1 3 2 4 chord progression in the keys of Bb, F, C, G, and D so you understand how this chord progression works in a Major key.
Please fill in the quick quiz below and continue! This quiz isn't a test, it's just so we can gauge your understanding before you continue down to the main quiz for this section.
If you have access to your instrument I would like you to try playing a 1 3 2 4 chord progression in the keys of Bb, F, C, G, and D so you understand how this chord progression works in a Major key.
Please fill in the quick quiz below and continue! This quiz isn't a test, it's just so we can gauge your understanding before you continue down to the main quiz for this section.
The 1 4 5 (I IV V) progression.
A 1 4 5 chord progression is a very popular chord progression and contains chords all within the same tonality, that means in a major key the chords will all be major, and in a minor key the chords will all be minor. This chord progression is one of the safest popular chord progressions to use as it contains the main chords in the key (as each note in the key is represented within the chords). Chords I IV and V are all closely related to each other, work well when sequenced together, and create a sense of forward movement. Given that all the chords will be major in a major key, and minor in a minor key, a 1 4 5 progression is functional but a little less interesting harmonically when we consider the 'journey' chord progressions can create. That hasn't stopped some of the greatest songwriters of all time from using this chord progression to great effect.
Watch the video below! Fast forward to 5:43 for the musical examples, or watch the entire video for more information.
Watch the video below! Fast forward to 5:43 for the musical examples, or watch the entire video for more information.
The 1 5 6 4 ( I V vi IV) progression.
Much like the 1 4 5 chord progression, the 1 5 6 4 chord progression is probably the most widely used, popular, and recognisable chord progression in music. Whether you know it or not, you have definitely heard this chord progression before! Similar to the 1 4 5 chord progression above, it contains the main chords within the key, but it also adds a minor chord into the progression increasing the amount of interest in the overall chord progression. With chord 6 being added into the progression we now have a bit of harmonic tension that can be resolved and this adds to the characteristics of the chord progression.
Watch the video below! Fast forward to 5:32 for the musical examples, or watch the entire video for more information.
Watch the video below! Fast forward to 5:32 for the musical examples, or watch the entire video for more information.
The Major 2 5 1 (ii V I) progression.
The 2 5 1 progression is another popular chord progression that can be found in rock, pop and R&B music, however it is mainly associated with jazz music. This progression is one you would be less likely to have heard unless you listen to jazz but there are a number of pop artists who have used the 2 5 1 progression such as Redbone, and Maroon 5.
Watch the video below for a great explanation and examples of the Major 2 5 1 chord progression!
Watch the video below for a great explanation and examples of the Major 2 5 1 chord progression!